Marble Game Board and Method of Play

ABSTRACT

A game board and method of play. The game board and method of play include a board having indentations that can each support a marble. The indentations form starting groups, diagonal groups, sets, and home groups, which allows a player to move the marbles along several paths. The first player to move all of their respective marbles from the starting group to the home group, wins the game. Each player has the option of attempting to traverse the diagonal groups to shorten the pathway. However, rolling a certain number of the dice is required to pass through. A first color marked indentation indicates the position the marbles leave the starting groups, and also provides protection from killing by other player&#39;s marbles when they attempt to occupy the same indentation.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/309,053 filed on Mar. 16, 2016. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a game board and method of play. More specifically, the present invention provides a game board that utilizes marbles that are positioned within indentures disposed on the board to create multiple pathways.

Many people enjoy playing tabletop games with friends and family. These games vary in complexity and competitiveness. However, most games have complicated rules that are not suitable for players of all ages. In addition, some games require significant time commitments from each player to complete a single match. Further, many games eliminate players at incremental times throughout the course of the game.

Devices have been disclosed in the known art that relate to game boards. These include devices that have been patented and published in patent application publications. These devices in the known art have several known drawbacks.

In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the devices in the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing game board devices. In this regard the instant invention substantially fulfills these needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of game boards now present in the art, the present invention provides a new game board having a plurality of apertures creating pathways for marbles to travel therein.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved game board and method of play.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a game board wherein the object of the game is for each player to move marbles positioned within a starting group of indentation to a home group of indentation first.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game board wherein a plurality of diagonal groups provides multiple pathways for a player to reach each respective home group.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game board that may be readily fabricated from materials that permit relative economy and are commensurate with durability.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the characteristic features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.

FIG. 1 shows an overhead view of the game board with marbles.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the game board and plurality of indentures taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the game board. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for playing the game board with four players. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an overhead view of the game board with marbles. The game board 11 comprises a board 12 having a plurality of indentations, each indentation configured to support a marble therein. The plurality of indentations is arranged on the board 12 forming various groups and sets of indentations. In the shown embodiment, the board 12 is designed for use with up to four players. However, in alternative embodiments, the game board 11 may be used to more or less players. In the shown embodiment, the board 12 includes a first side 15 opposing a second side 16 and a third side 17 opposing a fourth side 18, wherein the first side 15 and the second side 16 are parallel with a y-axis and the third side 17 and the fourth side 18 are parallel with an x-axis. The x-y axis defines an x-axis orthogonal to the y-axis in a plane of the board 12.

In the shown embodiment, the plurality of rounded indentations comprises a starting group 14 of six indentation for each player (four players in this embodiment). Each of the starting groups 14 are disposed linearly between adjacent sides (15 and 17, 17 and 16, 16 and 18, 18 and 15) and extend radially from a center indenture 27. (See FIG. 2).

A first home group 19 and a first set 20 of indentations are disposed towards the first side 15, wherein both of the first home group 19 and the first set 20 are linearly aligned and parallel with the x-axis. The first set 20 includes two perimeter lines of seven indentures, and the first home group 19 is spaced between the two perimeter lines of the first set 20 by a single indention, wherein the single indention is positioned towards the first side 15. In the shown embodiment, the board 13 include four home groups and four sets. In alternative embodiments, the number of players may not equal the number of the groups and sets. A plurality of first colored marked indentures 28 are indentures common between the adjacent sets (20 and 24, 24 and 22, 22 and 26, 26 and 20). In one embodiment of the game, the indenture of each of the respective sets 20, 22, 24, 26 positioned towards the perimeter of the board 12 indicate the first stating position of the marbles as they exit the starting group. The marbles may leave the starting groups 14 upon a roll of a dice showing a one or a six.

The board 13 further includes a plurality of diagonal groups comprising a first diagonal group 29, a second diagonal group 30, a third diagonal group 31, and a fourth diagonal group 32. Each of the plurality of diagonal groups comprise one or more indentures that extend from each of the plurality of first colored marked indenture 28 towards a center indenture 27.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of the game board and plurality of indentures taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1. In the shown embodiment, the board 12 includes indentures 13 spaced at intervals, wherein each of the indentures 13 are configured and dimensioned to receive a marble 34 therein. In one embodiment, the indentures 13 have a depth of approximately the radius of the marble. However, in alternative embodiments, the indentures 13 may have any dimension sufficient to support a marble or other player game piece. In one embodiment, each player has a corresponding group of marbles wherein each of the group of marbles have a distinct color.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the game board provides for a method of play. The game board 11 allows for players to compete to move marbles 34 in each player's starting position 14 to each player's home group position 19, 21, 23, 25. The movement of the marbles 34 around the board 12 are governed by a rule set. The rule set, for example, permits clockwise movement, the killing of an opposing player's marbles by landing on an occupied indenture and by rolling a certain number, and prohibits a player from jumping of marbles.

In one embodiment of the method of play, the game board 11 begins by positioning a plurality of marbles 34 within the starting group and having each player roll a dice 35 to determine the sequence of turns. Once the turn sequence is determined, the player needs to roll the dice 35 a predetermined number on a dice, such as one or six, to move at least one of the marbles 34 from the starting group 14 to the first colored marked indenture 28. The first colored marked indenture 28 is safe from killing by other players and allows from players to elect to traverse the diagonal groups 29, 30, 31, 32 and the center indenture 27. The first stating position of the marbles as they exit the starting group are also safe from killing.

The killing of an opposing player's marbles 34 causes that marble to return to the starting group 19, 21, 23, 25. When traversing the diagonal groups 29, 30, 31, 32 the player must roll a number on the dice 35 sufficient to reach the center indenture 27, and must have a subsequent roll of the dice 35 to reach the opposing first colored marked indenture 28. If the number indicted on the dice 35 is not sufficient, the marble 34 must be returned to the player's starting group 19, 21, 23, 25. A second colored marked indenture 33 is positioned six sequential indenture spaces from the center indenture 27, providing visual indication that this is the furthest position that allows a player to elect to traverse the diagonal groups 29, 30, 31, 32 and center indenture 27. Once all of the marbles are positioned home 19, that player wins the game.

It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

I claim: 1) A game board comprising: a board including a plurality of indentations each sized to securely hold a marble; the board including a first side opposing a second side, a third side opposing a fourth side; wherein the first side and the second side are parallel with a y-axis; wherein the third side and the fourth side are parallel with an x-axis; wherein the plurality of rounded indentations comprises: a starting group of six indentation, a first home group and a first set disposed towards the first side, both of the first home group and the first set are linearly aligned and parallel with the x-axis; the first set includes two perimeter lines of seven indentures; wherein the first home group is spaced between the two perimeter lines of the first set by a single indention, wherein the single indention is positioned towards the first side. 2) The game board of claim 1, further comprising: a second home group and a second set disposed towards the second side, both of the second home group and the second set are linearly aligned and parallel with the x-axis; the second set includes two perimeter lines of seven indentures; wherein the second home group is spaced between the two perimeter lines of the second set by a single indention, wherein the single indention is positioned towards the second side. 3) The game board of claim 2, further comprising: a third home group and a third set disposed towards the third side, both of the third home group and the third set are linearly aligned and parallel with the y-axis; the third set includes two perimeter lines of seven indentures; wherein the third home group is spaced between the two perimeter lines of the third set by a single indention, wherein the single indention is positioned towards the third side. 4) The game board of claim 3, further comprising: a fourth home group and a fourth set disposed towards the fourth side, both of the fourth home group and the fourth set are linearly aligned and parallel with the y-axis; the fourth set includes two perimeter lines of seven indentures; wherein the fourth home group is spaced between the two perimeter lines of the fourth set by a single indention, wherein the single indention is positioned towards the fourth side. 5) The game board of claim 4, wherein: a plurality of first colored marked indentures, wherein one of the pluralities of first colored marked indentures is an indenture common between the first set and the fourth set. 6) The game board of claim 5, wherein: wherein one of the pluralities of first colored marked indentures is an indenture common between the first set and the third set. 7) The game board of claim 6, wherein: wherein one of the pluralities of first colored marked indentures is an indenture common between the second set and the fourth set. 8) The game board of claim 7, wherein: wherein one of the pluralities of first colored marked indentures is an indenture common between the second set and the third set. 9) The game board of claim 8, wherein: a plurality of diagonal groups comprising a first diagonal group, a second diagonal group, a third diagonal group, and a fourth diagonal group; wherein each of the plurality of diagonal groups comprise one or more indentures that extend from each of the plurality of first colored marked indenture towards a center indenture. 10) The game board of claim 9, wherein: the starting group are disposed linearly and extend radially from the center indenture. 11) The game board of claim 10, wherein: a plurality of second colored indentures are positioned six sequential indentations away from the center indenture. 12) A method of playing the game board of claim 11, wherein: positioning a plurality of marbles within the starting group; rolling a predetermined number on a dice to move at least one of the marbles of the plurality of marbles to the first colored marked indenture; moving each of the plurality of marbles between the plurality of indentations in sequence; selecting to traverse the plurality of diagonal groups and the center aperture; positioning the plurality of marbles within the home group. 